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Authorities are investigating multiple deaths after an outbreak of 79 coronavirus cases was reported in an east Alabama nursing home.

The Arbor Springs Health and Rehab Center, in Opelika, is one of the largest nursing homes in the state in an area of Alabama which has seen well over 500 confirmed cases of the virus in Lee and Chambers counties alone.

"Like many nursing homes in Alabama, Arbor Springs began taking steps to safeguard our residents and our staff before the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the state," according to a statement from Annie Swanson, the administrator of the facility. "We limited contact among residents, and we closed our facilities to outside visitors well before we were required to do so by the state and federal government."

Coronavirus is a respiratory virus which spreads primarily through droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose. Elderly people are at a particularly increased risk of dying from the virus.

A resident and employee tested positive for the virus in late March, according to the release.

"We have followed all state and federal protocols to protect our other residents and staff, and we have taken every possible step to determine the extent of infections and to contain the virus," according to the release. "Still, east Alabama has been hit particularly hard in this outbreak, and we have experienced a significant impact as well."

A total of 56 residents tested positive and "a number of these residents required hospitalization." Of those, there are still 21 active cases of the virus in residents and 15 of those never showed symptoms before testing positive, according to the release.

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All residents with the virus are being isolated and monitored closely, according to the release. Nine residents died after testing positive for the virus, according to the release, though two of those were determined to not be related to the virus.

"The Alabama Department of Public Health determined two of those deaths were not the result of the virus. ADPH has not made determinations with regard to the other deaths," according to the release. "Three residents who passed away were on hospice care before the coronavirus outbreak."

Of the 231 employees, 23 total have tested positive for the virus, including nine who have recovered and returned to work.

"Throughout this process, we have been in continual contact with the Alabama Department of Public Health and the Lee County Health Department, and we have been open and forthcoming with our residents, their families, and our staff during this difficult time," the release said. "We believe our efforts to combat the virus are showing results, and we will continue to do everything necessary to make sure we keep moving in the right direction. Our full attention is focused on the safety of our residents and our team, and we will continue to take every precaution to protect them."